Vacation Memories

We headed to Grandma's house for vacation this year.  It may not sound exciting, but we definitely packed our days with fun.

Day One:

After a loooong car ride to Grandma's house, we were all glad of a chance to stretch our legs.  We headed to the waterfront in Clayton on a rumor that a tall ship was at the dock and allowing tours.  When we got there, there was no ship in sight! Fortunately, it was only out on a passenger cruise and we got to see it return to dock.

Day Two:

Kairi had a dream - she always makes a quilt when she is at Grandma's house.  This year, she wanted to combine quilting with her fan girl passion - Harry Potter.  So she found patterns for 36 quilt blocks based on the Potterverse.  But Grandma doesn't know how to paper piece!  Did that stop her? Oh, no.  We spent the whole day choosing fabric to make each block using applique.  It will be a serious undertaking, but Kairi is an uberskilled uberfan! But why do so many of the designs she chose require GREY fabric????

Day Three:

We planned to go to Seabreeze Amusement Park, but they were closed.  So we headed to the Strong National Museum of Play.  I worried it would be too young for the kids - WRONG!  We all agreed that the day at the museum (and it took the WHOLE day) was the best part of the trip!
Day Four:

Niagara Falls was awesome!  Kairi was pretty impressed right away, but Nick (who is not a fan of heights, or boats) was apprehensive.  But he ended up loving the Maid of the Mist, and by the time we ate real Buffalo (NY) wings at the Top of the Falls, and climbed to the Hurricane Deck at the Cave of the Winds, he was in heaven!

Day Five:

Today was a very laid back vacation day.  Scott researched my family geneology. Kai traced her applique patterns.  Mom and I quilted, and then ran to the local general store, where we found this foosball game for only $12.  Kai and Nick then played foosball for the rest of the night.  Such a lazy day!

Day Six:

Grandma's request for this trip was that we take a boat trip to Singer Castle.  It was created as a hunting lodge for the CEO of the Singer sewing machine company.  We enjoyed seeing all the secret passages for the servants, but decided we'd find it a bit creepy to have secret panels in our bedrooms!  Still, it was a lovely home!

Day Seven:

Who wants to cook when it's hot outside?  Not any of us!  We mostly spent the day in Mom's quilt shop, working on my quilt and Kairi's. After kicking around ideas for dinner all day, we finally decided on ice cream for dinner.  Sounds good to us!  The ice cream Nick is holding is supposed to be a small!

Day Eight:

Bingo!  Had to yell it here because no one in our group yelled it during bingo, that's for sure!  Mom got us something like nine cards each, and I for one am sure I missed some of the numbers.  The game moved pretty fast, but the kids seemed to be having a good time.  I guess that was worth the price of admission!

Now the kids will stay with Grandma for another ten days or so while we head home so Scott can get back to work.

At The Car Wash

It's definitely time for vacation!  We always end up washing our car the night before a road trip, but this was the first time I let Kairi and Nick try using the car wash tools.  It might have taken a few extra quarters, but it was definitely more fun!  The car is spiffy and ready to go - now we just have to pack our suitcases.

Way To Go, Nick!

Nick doesn't care that he graduated 5th grade.  He's considered himself a middle schooler for a year anyway, and he marches with the high school band.  But he was pretty darn happy to get his graduation gift - tickets over home plate for the BoSox vs. the Orioles at Camden Yards.  It's only 5th grade, but we're still proud!

My Homeroom Rocks!

My students and I took a field trip to Hawk Mountain today.  We had so much fun - once we lost the other groups.  It's a bit crowded to take 180 kids up a mountain, but my group of 19 was able to distance ourselves by taking the 3 point rock climbing trail back down.  It took lots of teamwork, but they made it!